Kiki Iriafen’s 25-point performance powers Mystics past short-handed Tempo 79-62

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TORONTO - Kiki Iriafen and Shakira Austin each had a double-double to lead the Washington Mystics past the Toronto Tempo 79-62 on Tuesday.

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TORONTO – Kiki Iriafen and Shakira Austin each had a double-double to lead the Washington Mystics past the Toronto Tempo 79-62 on Tuesday.

Iriafen had 25 points, 13 in the second half, and 14 rebounds as Washington (12-10) surged ahead in the third quarter.

Austin added 17 points and 10 rebounds as the Mystics won back-to-back games.

Toronto Tempo's Brittney Sykes (20) grimaces in pain during second half WNBA basketball action against the Atlanta Dream in Toronto, on Sunday, June 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan
Toronto Tempo's Brittney Sykes (20) grimaces in pain during second half WNBA basketball action against the Atlanta Dream in Toronto, on Sunday, June 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

Julie Allemand led short-handed Toronto (10-14) with 15 points and five rebounds.

Isabelle Harrison and all-star Marina Mabrey had eight points apiece in the Tempo’s lowest scoring game in their inaugural season. Toronto’s previous low was a 68-65 loss to Washington in its first-ever regular season game on May 8.

Brittney Sykes (left plantar fascia), Kiki Rice (left ankle sprain) and Temi Fagbenle (concussion) all missed the game for Toronto.

Takeaways

Mystics: It was a tale of two halves for Washington, which was losing 32-26 at intermission. Iriafen was dominant as the Mystics outscored the hosts 26-13 in the third and 27-17 in the fourth.

Tempo: Lack of depth continues to hurt Toronto, especially in the frontcourt. Without Rice and Fagbenle, Washington outrebounded the Tempo 46-26 and got 20 second-chance points compared to Toronto’s three.

Key moment

Iriafen’s layup 2:47 into the third quarter capped an 11-3 Mystics run to start the second half. It also gave Washington its first lead since the midway point of the opening quarter.

Key stat

Toronto Tempo's Marina Mabrey (3) looks to shoot on the Washington Mystics defence during first half WNBA basketball action in Toronto on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Toronto Tempo's Marina Mabrey (3) looks to shoot on the Washington Mystics defence during first half WNBA basketball action in Toronto on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Toronto is in the midst of a nine-game homestand over 25 days, but that’s at three venues: Coca-Cola Coliseum and Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, and Montreal’s Bell Centre.

Up next

Toronto: Hosts the Atlanta Dream on Friday.

Washington: Hosts Bridget Carleton of Chatham-Kent, Ont., and the Portland Fire on Thursday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 14, 2026.

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